Funeral services for Floyd Barton Bench, Jr., 94, West Plains, MO will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2025, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home with visitation from 1:00-2:00.
He was born December 28, 1930, at Koshkonong, Missouri, to Floyd and Hazel (Helmer) Bench and grew up in Lanton, Missouri, with his three sisters (Jean, Irene, and Clara Zell) and one brother (Bob). He graduated from West Plains High School in 1949. He served in the US Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. He was married to Vadna Fore August 30, 1956. He went to work at the International Shoe Company in 1956 and retired in 1993 along with Vadna. Jr and Vadna spent 20-plus years in southern Texas during the cold Winter months in West Plains in which they met and became friends with so many people from all over the U.S. and Canada.
He was a member of the Pottersville Baptist church. He was a testament to being one of God’s servants that shone brightly with his love of family, community, and the outdoors.
The Lord called Floyd, Jr. home at 4:30 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at West Vue Nursing Home to be with his wife, Vadna and son, Steven. Also, to be with his parents, his four siblings and their spouses, Thelma Jean Hogan and husband Vance, Bobbie Leland Bench and wife Mary, Ellen Irene Cherry and husband Dennis, and Clara Zell Cherry and husband James. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Gary Vance Hogan.
He is survived by his daughter and husband Brenda and Brad Bergeson, Prairie Village, Kansas, his granddaughter and husband Cassie and Derrick Mitchell, and great-granddaughters Addison and Noelle Mitchell, all of Lenexa, Kansas. Also, he is survived by nephews Neal Hogan (Linda), Randy Hogan (Sheila), Tim Cherry (Brenda) and Gary Hogan’s wife Vicki and nieces Renee Hastert (Terry), Cindy Doss (Jack), Stephanie Raines, Pam Kenney (Albert), Tammy Keith (Jeff), Charisse Bench, and Lisa Riggs (Ralph) and their families.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society or American Heart Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
